Saint - Emilion

I tasted this wine on multiple occasions and some of the samples were more impressive than even this note suggests! Two others were somewhat monolithic, but my instincts suggest the 2004 Clos de l’Oratoire is an outstanding wine. A blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, it is extremely well-endowed for the vintage. A deep ruby/purple color is followed by aromas of espresso roast, chocolate, dried herbs, and plenty of sexy black currant and cherry fruit. Medium to full-bodied with silky tannin as well as an expressive, sensual style, it should drink beautifully for 10-12 years.
(171, The Wine Advocate)

A blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, it is a surprisingly opulent, flamboyant, fleshy, soft crowd-pleaser displaying abundant amounts of smoked herbs, sweet black cherry and cassis fruit, licorice, espresso roast, chocolate, and toast. Full-bodied with superb concentration as well as a beautifully textured mouthfeel, this 2006 should drink well for 10-15+ years. Like all of the Neipperg estates, this wine’s capsule has a clever anti-fraud device, which I think will be increasingly employed by many French estates.
(181, The Wine Advocate)

Tasted three separate times, this 2006 underperformed from the bottle and was nearly impossible to penetrate. It exhibits high tannin, an austere personality, and seemingly insufficient depth or concentration to balance out the wine’s structure. Masochists will probably rate it higher, but I felt this offering was burdened down by a foreboding structure to the detriment of concentrated fruit and overall equilibrium. Time will tell, but my instincts suggest this 2006 St.-Emilion is likely to dry out before it ever blossoms.
(181, The Wine Advocate)